Erik ten Hag has said that he is “very pleased to work” with one Manchester United star, despite the player being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
The 54-year-old Manchester United manager is in the States with his first-team squad for the club’s final leg of the pre-season tour in the USA.
The Red Devils began their pre-season campaign last month with a 1-0 defeat to Norwegian side Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion.
However, United bounced back with a 2-0 win over Ranges at the Murrayfield Stadium in Scotland before travelling to the US as part of their pre-season tour.
United’s first match in the States this summer ended in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium before bouncing back with a 3-2 win against Real Betis.
Erik ten Hag’s side will now face Premier League rivals Liverpool on Sunday in their final pre-season match at the Williams–Brice Stadium in South Carolina.
Ten Hag on ‘important’ Man Utd star
Erik ten Hag has now spoken highly of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and admitted that he is happy to “have him in our squad.”
Scott McTominay has been an important first-team player under Ten Hag and made his presence felt in the final third in the 2023-24 season.
The 27-year-old Scottish midfielder scored seven times in 32 Premier League appearances, with McTominay managing 18 league starts last season.
However, McTominay has attracted interest from Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce and Premier League club Fulham this summer.
According to The Guardian, Fulham have now launched a second bid of around £20m to sign the Scotland star from United.
However, it is believed that United want “£25m-£30m” for McTominay, who is out of contract with the Red Devils next summer.
McTominay could face a tough test in securing regular playing time at Old Trafford next season, with Mason Mount appearing to return to full fitness.
Speaking from United’s training base at UCLA, Ten Hag said at a press conference on Thursday (via Manchester United’s official website): “I’m so pleased with the performance from Scott McTominay and so pleased to have him in my squad, for the type of person he is.
“He has such an impact on this team with his performance and team spirit. Of course, now we play him in a more advanced position, which suits him much better.
“He is so important in making goals for our team and I’m very pleased to work with him and have him in our squad.”
Ten Hag talks Liverpool manager
Ten Hag will come up against new Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Sunday, with his fellow Dutchman succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer.
The United boss has previously crossed paths with Arne Slot when he was at Ajax, with the Liverpool manager managing Dutch side Feyenoord at the time.
Speaking on Slot, Ten Hag said: “I think that he’s in quite a good place because the structures are good, the players are good and Klopp football was, of course, very good and very successful. But I’m sure Arne, with his skills, that he can add to this.
“There will be elements of Klopp football, but he will bring elements in and if they can bring this together, they have a very good chance to stay very successful.”
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